NFL veterans from '90s have knack for wins

Jan. 10, 2013
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Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley's decision to sign with the Broncos was based on the chance to play with Peyton Manning and the fact his family wouldn't have to move out of Colorado. / Frank Victores, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- When the Seattle Seahawks signed kicker Ryan Longwell this week, it brought the total number of players in the league who began their careers in the 1990s to 25. A disproportionate 17 of them are on playoff teams.

So what's the reason for this? Coincidence? Difference-making wisdom and leadership? Swan-song cherry-picking?

The Denver Broncos have four players in the '90s club, the most any team. Three of them joined the team this year: quarterback Peyton Manning ('98), middle linebacker Keith Brooking ('98) and wide receiver Brandon Stokley ('99). The fourth is cornerback Champ Bailey ('99), who is the longest-tenured Bronco after arriving in a trade with the Washington Redskins in 2004. All are starters for the AFC's No. 1 seed.

"I don't think you want your roster full of guys that have played that long, but I think we have a good mixture," Brooking said.

Stokley and Brooking were considering retirement had the right opportunity not come along with the Broncos. For Stokley, Denver was the only team he'd consider because of the chance to reunite with Manning and keep his family in Colorado. For Brooking, the Broncos were the first team to call and invite him to work out in early August.

"It's not that it was any disrespect to the game of football, but I wanted to play for a contender," Brooking said.

Stokley won his first of two Super Bowls with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000, his second year. "It feels like a lifetime ago, it really does," he said.

When Stokley was told the names of some of the other super-veterans in the playoffs, he said he wasn't surprised.

"If you play a long time, there's a reason," Stokley said. "I think you're a good teammate, you know how get the job done, you know how to be a professional. And that comes down to a lot of things - helping the younger guys, being good in the locker room."

Ravens center Matt Birk ('98) had a similiar theory. "Teams that know they're good. They're not trying to rebuild. They're more apt to look for a veteran who might not be able to play full time but might be able to play certain situations. ... Teams who feel like it's their time, their window, they might be good as far as talent goes. They don't need to develop. They can spend a roster spot on an experienced veteran instead of a young player they're going to need to develop."

Time-tested winners

USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis looks at the players in the postseason whose career's have spanned three decades:

David Akers, 38, San Francisco 49ers: He had an epic 2011, nailing a record 44 field goals while his 166 points set a new mark for pure kickers. But inaccuracy (69% on field-goal tries) and residual issues from offseason double hernia surgery spurred the team to bring in Billy Cundiff as insurance in case Akers falters in the playoffs.

Bailey, 34: His 12 Pro Bowls are a record for a cornerback, and his return trips to Honolulu are not booked merely on reputation. Bailey seems invigorated by matching wits with Manning in practice. He only surrendered 40 catches and one touchdown this season, according to ProFootballFocus.com.

Birk, 36: He's been the rock of an offensive line that's undergone quite a bit of turnover in the four years Birk has been with the team. But the Ravens have never failed to reach the playoffs since signing him in 2009. The Harvard grad has never missed a start since 2006.

Brooking, 37: The Broncos were wise to sign him in August given their linebacking corps was plagued by suspensions (D.J. Williams and Joe Mays) and injuries (Mays, Wesley Woodyard). Brooking remains a steadying presence and has been a starter since Oct. 15.

Donald Driver, 37, Green Bay Packers: His production has been sliding since 2006. The wideout caught just eight balls this season. He probably won't be active in postseason unless one of Green Bay's top four receivers can't go, though Jordy Nelson's lingering issues could open that door a crack.

Tony Gonzalez, 36, Atlanta Falcons: His claim as the game's greatest tight end is virtually irrefutable. Though he's caught more passes than anyone save Jerry Rice, Rice was part of 17 playoff victories - 17 more than Gonzalez has enjoyed. Sunday could provide his last chance at postseason glory if he follows through on plans to retire.

London Fletcher, 37, Washington Redskins: It took a while for the middle linebacker to get recognized, but his Susan Lucci-esque string of Pro Bowl snubs ended in 2009. Fletcher was just as important as Robert Griffin III to the team's successful playoff drive. He earned NFC defensive player of the month honors for December, sacking Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo twice in the NFC East -clinching win in Week 17.

Ray Lewis, 37, Ravens: He's one of eight defenders to earn Super Bowl MVP honors and he'd love to collect one more before putting a bow on his 17-year career. Say what you want about his deteriorating skills, but the Ravens are 6-1 with Lewis this season and 5-5 when he's on the sideline. His leadership and intangibles haven't waned .

Longwell, 38: He didn't play in the regular season after losing his job to Minnesota Vikings rookie Pro Bowler Blair Walsh in training camp. Longwell is 13th on the all-time scoring list with 1,687 points. He's subbing in for Steven Hauschka, who was placed on injured reserve with a calf strain.

Manning, 36: For all of his records, MVP awards and influence, the one, shall we say, gray mark on Manning's resume is his 9-10 playoff record. But on the heels of the greatest statistical season by a Denver quarterback, he's got an excellent chance to improve to 12-10 if his perfectly balanced team helps him snatch ring No. 2.

Randy Moss, 35, 49ers: He may be older, but he can still do what made him famous: get deep. Moss' 15.5 yards a catch this season was his best since 2005. Some reporters may not love him, but his teammates do. Anticipate his role expanding in light of the season-ending loss of Mario Manningham.

Mike Peterson, 36, Falcons: Try as they might, the Falcons just can't part with Peterson, a man teammates call "Unc." He's returned the past two seasons on one-year contracts essentially as an insurance policy - he hasn't been a regular starter since 2010 - but has shown a team-first attitude by stepping into a special teams role.

Jeff Saturday, 37, Packers: He earned his sixth Pro Bowl trip in his first season with the Packers but stepped aside for younger Evan Dietrich-Smith in Week 16 and hasn't played since. Classy as ever, Saturday accepted the demotion with grace.

Stokley, 36: The man known as the "Slot Machine" continued paying dividends in 2012 with 45 receptions and five TDs, his best season since 2007.

Adam Vinatieri, 40, Indianapolis Colts: He owns four rings and some of the most memorable postseason field goals ever. His 70% conversion rate on field goals in five Super Bowls is subpar, but he connects when it counts.

Antoine Winfield, 35, Minnesota Vikings: Few defensive backs are more fearless than this 5-9, 180-pounder, whose diminutive frame was part of a mind-boggling 100 tackles in 2012, many in run support. Winfield continued suiting up late in the season despite a broken hand, just another reason he's a favorite of coach Leslie Frazier.

Charles Woodson, 36, Packers: To borrow the chess analogy, Woodson is the "queen on the board." Though he's now a safety in the base defense, he'll play corner in nickel situations and blitzes from anywhere. The Packers are thrilled to have his smarts and command presence back after a broken collarbone cost him nine games.